Taksal in Punjabi means mint as to stamp or imprint an insignia. In other words, it means where preachers are made after rigorous training in scriptures just like as a coin is minted and then stamped. Infact it refers to an education institution or community of students who get their training under a specific spiritual leader. It is believed that Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji had declared Talwandi Sabo as a Centre of learning. Thus, two prominent Taksals were initiated at that time known after their founders Shahid Baba Deep Singh and Bhai Mani Singh Ji. It is also stated by some scholars that originally Taksals were known as ‘Gyan Samparda’ or the ‘Gyan Pranali’. Some scholars link them with Nirmalas or Udasis or Sewa Panthis, because of the common features of simplicity, Dharam Parchar and service to mankind. However, our concern in this chapter is not to research the origin and linkage, but only with the contribution of Taksals in the propagation of Sikh religion. The original Bhindran Taksal gave certain renowned preachers like Sant Mohan Singh Ji, Sant Sundar Singh Ji and then Sant Kartar Singh Bhindranwale. The Amritsar Taksal associated with Bhai Mani Singh Ji also gave renowned preachers like Sant Kirpal Singh and Sant Amir Singh. The original Bhindran Taksal was named because of the setting up of a Dera at Bhinder Kalan village in Moga district. Giani Gurbachan Singh had named this Dera as ‘Jatha Bhindran’ and started travelling around making Parchar rounds. It was only after his demise that the issue of succession gave birth to a separate Dera to be headed by Giani Kartar Singh. He bought some land at Chowk Mehta and named it as Jatha Bhindran-Mehta. After some years, this Jatha Bhindran-Mehta came to be known as Damdami Taksal and Sant Jarnail Singh became its head. Sant Jarnail Singh known as Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale became well known for his Prachar rounds and later on for his martyrdom at the time of Blue Star operation at Sri Harmandir Sahib in 1984. The original Damdami Taksals now headed by Sant Baba Mohan Singh Ji Bhindrawale.
Coming to the Taksal at Amritsar this Dera was started by Bhai Amir Singh Ji in Sattowala Bazar, Namak Mandi, Amritsar. Presently, Baba Makhan Singh is heading this Taksal. It may be mentioned here that the present Deras of Taksal, be it at Amritsar or Bhindranwala or Chowk Mehta have prepared a number of preachers who have further setup their own centres of learning at different places including a few of them in foreign countries. In all the Taksals, the focus is on teaching Gurbani, and pronunciation of Gurmukhi script, with the goal of reading devotional paath, or scripture correctly. The Taksals maintain a strict code of conduct. They are Amritdharis and are strict vegetarians. Taksal Singhs may be recognized by the apparel of white chola worn over kachera with bare legs, and distinctive style of round turban.
The Headquarter of Chowk Mehta Taksal is located about 23 miles north of Amritsar. The prominent Sikh personalities produced by this Taksal include Late Baba Thakur Singh and Sant Jarnail Singh Bhidrawale. There may be a difference of opinion regarding Sant Jarnail Singh Bhidrawale’s views of political and religious issues, but his devotion and dedication to his cause was beyond any doubt. He supported Anandpur Sahib resolution by launching Dharam Yudh Morcha, which was mis-understood by many treating the same as against the non Sikhs. He was a peerless missionary who went from village to village to exhort the Sikhs to live according to the Sikh tenets and teaching. He became the head of Dam Dami Taksal when Kartar Singh Khalsa, the successor to Gurbachan Singh Khalsa, nominated him as a next head of the Taksal. During his leadership, this Taksal was at the height of its popularity. The present head of this Dam Dami Taksal is Baba Harnam Singh Dhumma.
